Temporary Relief in Sight From Soaring Temperatures

Posted on Jul 19, 2013

A heat wave that has seen weather services predict temperatures in excess of 105 degrees Fahrenheit in some Northeastern and Midwest states was predicted to abate, at least briefly, via severe thunderstorms in some regions over the weekend.

While most concerned themselves with staying cool in the heat, weather forecasters were expressing surprise at the how the system of oppressively hot weather was “going the wrong way” across the country – travelling from east to west in defiance of meteorological norms.

New York City’s John F Kennedy airport, recorded a temperature of 100F on Friday, a record high for the date. Newark Liberty airport, in New Jersey, was subject to 96F heat.

Excessive heat warnings were in place along hundreds of miles of the east coast, from Virginia to New Hampshire. Millions of people were warned to stay in air-conditioned environments if possible and limit time in the sun as the heat index – a combination of air temperature and humidity – predicted relative temperatures of over 100F for the second day in a row.